FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Sigma Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Ltd v Wyeth (No 2) [2011] FCAFC 143

Citation:

Sigma Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Ltd v Wyeth (No 2) [2011] FCAFC 143

Appeal from:

Sigma Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Ltd v Wyeth [2010] FCA 1211

Parties:

SIGMA PHARMACEUTICALS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LIMITED ACN 004 118 594 v WYETH AND WYETH AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED ACN 000 296 211

ALPHAPHARM PTY LIMITED ACN 002 359 739

v WYETH AND WYETH AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED ACN 000 296 211

GENERIC HEALTH PTY LTD ACN 110 617 859

v WYETH AND WYETH AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED ACN 000 296 211

File numbers:

NSD 1533 of 2010

NSD 1603 of 2010

NSD 1644 of 2010

Judges:

BENNETT, NICHOLAS AND YATES JJ

Date of judgment:

11 November 2011

Date of hearing:

Determined on the papers

Date of last submissions:

8 November 2011

Place:

Sydney

Division:

GENERAL DIVISION

Category:

No Catchwords

Number of paragraphs:

4

Counsel for the First Appellant:

Mr D Shavin QC with Ms H Rofe

Solicitor for the First Appellant:

Griffith Hack

Counsel for the Second Appellant:

Mr P Flynn

Solicitor for the Second Appellant:

Mallesons Stephen Jaques

Counsel for the Third Appellant:

Ms A Bowne SC

Solicitor for the Third Appellant:

Middletons

Counsel for the Respondents:

Mr C Dimitriadis

Solicitor for the Respondents:

Jones Day

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

NSD 1533 of 2010

ON APPEAL FROM THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BETWEEN:

SIGMA PHARMACEUTICALS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD ACN 004 118 594

Appellant

AND:

WYETH

First Respondent

WYETH AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED ACN 000 296 211

Second Respondent

JUDGES:

BENNETT, NICHOLAS AND YATES JJ

DATE OF ORDER:

11 NOVEMBER 2011

WHERE MADE:

SYDNEY

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.    The appeal be allowed.

2.    Order 7 of the orders of Justice Jagot made on 8 November 2010 be set aside.

3.    The appeal be listed for further hearing in relation to all other outstanding issues at 9.00 am on 23 November 2011.

Note: Entry of orders is dealt with in Rule 39.32 of the Federal Court Rules 2011

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

NSD 1603 of 2010

ON APPEAL FROM THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BETWEEN:

ALPHAPHARM PTY LIMITED ACN 002 359 739

Appellant

AND:

WYETH

First Respondent

WYETH AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED ACN 000 296 211

Second Respondent

JUDGES:

BENNETT, NICHOLAS AND YATES JJ

DATE OF ORDER:

11 NOVEMBER 2011

WHERE MADE:

SYDNEY

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.    The appeal be allowed.

2.    Order 7 of the orders of Justice Jagot made on 8 November 2010 be set aside.

3.    The appeal be listed for further hearing in relation to all other outstanding issues at 9.00 am on 23 November 2011.

Note: Entry of orders is dealt with in Rule 39.32 of the Federal Court Rules 2011

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

NSD 1644 of 2010

ON APPEAL FROM THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BETWEEN:

GENERIC HEALTH PTY LTD ACN 110 617 859

Appellant

AND:

WYETH

First Respondent

WYETH AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED ACN 000 296 211

Second Respondent

JUDGES:

BENNETT, NICHOLAS AND YATES JJ

DATE OF ORDER:

11 NOVEMBER 2011

WHERE MADE:

SYDNEY

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.    The appeal be allowed.

2.    Order 7 of the orders of Justice Jagot made on 8 November 2010 be set aside.

3.    The appeal be listed for further hearing in relation to all other outstanding issues at 9.00 am on 23 November 2011.

Note: Entry of orders is dealt with in Rule 39.32 of the Federal Court Rules 2011

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

NSD 1533 of 2010

ON APPEAL FROM THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BETWEEN:

SIGMA PHARMACEUTICALS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD ACN 004 118 594

Appellant

AND:

WYETH

First Respondent

WYETH AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED ACN 000 296 211

Second Respondent

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

NSD 1603 of 2010

ON APPEAL FROM THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BETWEEN:

ALPHAPHARM PTY LIMITED ACN 002 359 739

Appellant

AND:

WYETH

First Respondent

WYETH AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED ACN 000 296 211

Second Respondent

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

NSD 1644 of 2010

ON APPEAL FROM THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BETWEEN:

GENERIC HEALTH PTY LTD ACN 110 617 859

Appellant

AND:

WYETH

First Respondent

WYETH AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED ACN 000 296 211

Second Respondent

JUDGES:

BENNETT, NICHOLAS AND YATES JJ

DATE:

11 NOVEMBER 2011

PLACE:

SYDNEY

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

        THE COURT:

1        Pursuant to orders made on 28 October 2011 the parties have filed written submissions in relation to the orders that they contend should be made in light of the reasons for judgment delivered in this matter (Sigma Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Ltd v Wyeth [2011] FCAFC 132). Most of the matters the subject of those submissions are straightforward and would ordinarily be dealt without any further oral argument. However, a number of the points raised in the submissions are out of the ordinary and it is appropriate that there be a further hearing of short duration to give the parties the opportunity they seek to develop their written submissions orally.

2        In its written submissions Wyeth also sought the opportunity to file affidavit evidence, though it did not identify the nature of that evidence or to what issue it would be directed. In the circumstances, we are not disposed to permit the filing of any affidavit evidence.

3        The orders we propose to make today will allow the appeal in each matter and set aside the injunctions granted by the primary judge. All other questions concerning orders for the revocation of claims, inquiries as to damages and costs as well as the terms to be imposed in connection with any stay of orders for revocation will be decided following the further hearing.

4        There will be orders accordingly.

I certify that the preceding four (4) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justices Bennett, Nicholas and Yates.

Associate:

Dated:    11 November 2011